How should slide sandals look and fit?

“The ideal slide sandals should fit snug enough to stay on your feet throughout the day,” says Minkoff. For the most wearability, “they should be simple in design, with a slim profile to pair with any outfit.”

How should you style a pair of slides?

“You can always go with the old reliables—a plain tee with jeans or shorts,” the designer says. Put together an elevated, easy look by pairing them with a silky midi dress, like her Verona style .

The Best Slides of 2023

Slippers, once reserved for cozy evenings at home, have formed an entirely new category of everyday footwear since the start of the pandemic. During the lockdown, they became the de facto footwear of choice, but now, with some people returning to the office or otherwise socializing outside of their homes, slippers, better known as slides, have managed to secure a place in casual wardrobes everywhere.

Slides are defined as almost anything you can slip on your feet. This may include clogs, high heels, and sandals—the last of which can take you from the house to the beach and prove essential in warmer weather for their breathability and effortless appeal. “They are simple in the sense that they involve no hassle and just slide on,” fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff tells Byrdie. “Nothing better than kicking off your shoes once you hit the sand—but no need to sacrifice style while you do it.”

Of course, closed-toe iterations prove just as valuable for errands like post office runs, school pick-ups, or any other last-minute trips you might make in cooler temperatures. So, we’ve rounded up a mix of styles to suit your every need. Ahead, discover Byrdie’s list of the best slides on offer right now as well as shopping advice from Minkoff.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Emme Parsons Bari Leather Sandals at Net-a-Porter

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Best Budget:

Matisse Platform Sandal at Amazon

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Best Casual:

Birkenstock Birkenstock Unisex Arizona Essentials EVA at Birkenstock.com

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Best Comfortable:

Birkenstock Arizona Shearling Sandals at Nordstrom

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Best Designer:

Roger Vivier Leather Sandals at Neiman Marcus

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Best Chunky:

Hush Puppies Sunshine Sandal at Dsw.com

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Best Embellished:

Ancient Greek Sandals Polytimi Diamante Sandals at Cettire.com

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Most Classic:

Hermès Oran Sandal at Hermes.com

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Best Slipper:

UGG Women's Scuffette II at Nordstrom

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Best Sporty:

Lululemon Restfeel Women's Slide at Lululemon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

ShopBazaar

View On Net-a-Porter View On Shopbop.com View On Verishop.com

For the leathery comfort of a Birkenstock with a bit more elegance, look to the Bari slide by Los Angeles-based designer Emme Parsons. The sandal is modern, stylish, and supportive thanks to a supple leather footbed and matching tubular straps. With such a minimalist silhouette, it’s capable of elevating your casual biker shorts or frayed denim pants just as effectively as it complements a breezy midi skirt.

Price at time of publish: $415

Material: Leather | Color Options: Black, Tan, Petrol +more | Size Range: EU35–EU42

Nordstrom

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Kohls.com

These raffia slide sandals from Matisse are a summer staple for Byrdie Commerce Writer Caitlyn Martyn and her sister, Lauren. “We hadn't actually planned to both get a pair, but during our family vacation, we both walked out for dinner wearing the same shoes,” she says. “It was no surprise, though—the weaved detailing gives them a subtle coastal grandmother vibe while the chunky design [feels modern.] I wore them all summer long and am planning on bringing them with me on my next getaway.” The only con, she adds, is that they required a bit of breaking in.

Price at time of publish: $40

Material: Raffia | Color Options: Natural | Size Range: 5–11

Birkenstock

View On Birkenstock.com View On Bloomingdales View On Dick's

If you’re looking for something more casual, these Birkenstock slides could be for you—after all, they’re on the feet of practical, fashionable people for a reason. They’re made from a durable but lightweight, water-resistant foam material called Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) for comfort and versatility. (You can wear them around the house, in the garden, at the beach, or to the post office.) The soles are engineered to provide shock absorption and arch support, which are important for stability and general foot health. And best of all, they’ll only run you $50 plus tax.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: EVA | Color Options: Black, Metallic Silver, Khaki +more | Size Range: 4/4.5–12/12.5 in regular/wide and medium/narrow widths

REI

View On Nordstrom View On Walmart View On Birkenstock.com

Birkenstock’s shearling-lined iteration of its Arizona sandals are far more plush than your typical suede-, leather-, or EVA-lined pairs but support your feet just the same with their sculpted arches. Don them for running errands locally or as slippers in your home.

Price at time of publish: $160

Material: Suede, shearling | Color Options: Black, Mink, Stone +more | Size Range: EU36–EU42

Saks Fifth Avenue

View On Neiman Marcus View On Net-a-Porter View On Rogervivier.com

Roger Vivier’s Slidy' Viv contains all of the hallmarks of the designer’s distinct style, from the crystal buckle details to the streamlined silhouette. While Vivier offers iterations in various materials, like satin and PVC, we love the leather option the most for its versatility. There’s even a closed-toe version, so you can wear it year-round.

Price at time of publish: $1,375

Material: Leather, suede/shearling, PVC | Color Options: Black, Cream, Brown +more | Size Range: IT34–IT42

DSW

View On Dsw.com View On Hushpuppies.com

Plush, vibrant, and easy—that’s all Senior Style Editor Erika Harwood wants in a pair of slides. And yet, she says, “it’s harder to find than you’d think.” These Hush Puppies are her go-to in the summer for almost every occasion. She recommends stocking up on a few colors before summer hits.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: Textile, memory foam | Color Options: Orange, Turquoise, Black +more | Size Range: 6–12

Ancient Greek Sandals Polytimi Diamante Sandals

Saks Fifth Avenue

View On Cettire.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue View On Shopbop.com

For a strappy slide with a little pizzazz, shop this pair by Ancient Greek Sandals. The three-strap style in black leather is embellished with crystal accents to dress up even the simplest of looks. We love that despite the glitz, it was handmade using long-standing shoemaking techniques.

Price at time of publish: $330

Material: Leather | Color Options: Black | Size Range: EU35–EU41

Hermès

View On Hermes.com

French fashion house Hermès’ Oran is the crème-de-la-crème of slide sandals. The vamp forms an iconic “H,” and it’s complete with hand-stitching and a natural leather sole. At $660, the shoe is a splurge. Though, given its simplicity and timelessness—the style has been on offer since Pierre Hardy first made it in 1997—you could consider it an investment.

Price at time of publish: $660

Material: Leather | Color Options: Noir, Blanc, Gold, Rose Du Désert +more | Size Range: EU36–EU41

UGG

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Cruisefashion.com

We can’t name a more plush and luxe slipper than this style by UGG. These suede and sheepskin round-toe slides are so cozy—basically made to be worn with an equally comfortable cashmere set that will elevate your leisure time.

Price at time of publish: $95

Material: Suede, sheepskin | Color Options: Chestnut, Espresso, Black/Grey | Size Range: 5–12

Lululemon

View On Lululemon

Beloved activewear brand Lululemon designed these slides for when your feet need a recovery post-workout. The outsoles are made from rubber for a good grip, while the insoles boast a dense cushion for maximum comfort and support. Even the strap upper is soft and pillowy.

Price at time of publish: $58

Material: Not listed | Color Options: Solar Orange, Misty Pink, Breeze Blue +more | Size Range: 5–12

Steve Madden

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Ae.com

If you’re feeling nostalgic for the ‘90s, Steve Madden has just the style for you. The Slinky30 sandal offers a retro allure, and since it’s set on a chunky platform that forges a natural arch, you can wear it with ease because it won’t strain your heel.

Price at time of publish: $90

Material: Fabric upper, synthetic sole | Color Options: Black, Green, Hot Pink +more | Size Range: 5–11

Amazon

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An offshoot of the brand’s Original Universal style, this sporty slide is ideal for the beach because of its water resistance and durability. Beyond that, these Tevas have contoured EVA soles, which give them a supportive, cushioned footbed that stays cool in the heat. From a sustainability perspective, the upper straps are made from recycled plastic. The shoes are also recyclable after much wear through the brand’s recycling program.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: Polyester, EVA | Color Options: Black, Caribou (brown), Bok Choy (green) +more | Size Range: 5–11

What To Look For in Slides

Craftsmanship

Be they casual and closed-toe or elegant and strappy, a well-made pair of slides can last for years. In your search for a pair, note the quality of materials used and attention to detail. Are the soles lined in luxe material, like leather or shearling? Do they contain any interesting details, like custom embroidery or a sculptural heel? Is there arch support, and if it’s a sporty style, is it waterproof? It’s worth asking these questions to identify what sets some slides apart from others in such a crowded market.

Versatility

Beautiful, well-made slides can be expensive—a financial pain that can be remedied by strategic buying to lower your cost per wear. Quality certainly plays a role, as having a pair of shoes that’s built to last will naturally result in more wear over time. Choosing a more versatile shoe (one that you can dress up or down) is another way to get more wear out of them. In this case, look for shoes in neutral tones (metallics count) to ensure that you can style them with many things.

FAQ

How should slide sandals look and fit?

“The ideal slide sandals should fit snug enough to stay on your feet throughout the day,” says Minkoff. For the most wearability, “they should be simple in design, with a slim profile to pair with any outfit.”
How should you style a pair of slides?

“You can always go with the old reliables—a plain tee with jeans or shorts,” the designer says. Put together an elevated, easy look by pairing them with a silky midi dress, like her Verona style.

Why Trust Byrdie

Hayley Prokos, Byrdie’s Associate Fashion Commerce Editor, wrote this article. She researched the best slides of the season and spoke to designer Rebecca Minkoff about how to find a pair of slides that balances aesthetics and slides.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any slides from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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